A fib

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi everybody

I work in a telemetry floor and we've been discussing about a fib and the question here can afib be regular or not?

Boomer MS, RN

511 Posts

Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
Hi everybody

I work in a telemetry floor and we've been discussing about a fib and the question here can afib be regular or not?

When you palpate the patient's pulse, it feels irregularly irregular. On a 12 lead, it shows an irregular pattern, but A-fib can only be diagnosed by the EKG. Hope this helps.

nursej22, MSN, RN

3,821 Posts

Specializes in Public Health, TB.

What pp said. If a rhythm appears both regular and with fibrillation waves, check leads for artifact, placement, and/or get a 12 lead. Our EPS specialists always order a 12 lead after spontaneous or induced cardio version.

RobbiRN, RN

8 Articles; 205 Posts

Specializes in ER.

I agree that a 12-lead is needed to be diagnostic, but A-fib is irregular as a general rule. The irregularity can be subtle, especially in patients who are medicated and have ventricular rate in the 70-80's, and it masquerades as NSR with pulse check or a quick glance at a monitor. One of biggest clues to differentiate between SVT and A-fib with a rapid ventricular response is the irregularity of A-fib. SVT usually hits a groove and sits on it with virtually no variation.

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